The first light of dawn bled across the sky, painting the training field in a muted silver. The air was sharp with cold , each breath rising like smoke. In the centre of the field , the second prince moved with fluid precision, his blade cutting arcs through the mist. Every strike was filled with restrained furry, every parry echoing the bitterness that gnawed at him since last night .
The memory haunted him ; Eliora weeping in Aurien's embrace. Her trembling body pressed against someone else's arms. Not his . Never his .
The sound of footsteps crunched over the frosted ground. He stilled, his sword angled in defense.
Aurien appeared ,dressed in training robes, a practice blade slung loosely in his hand . His expression was unreadable, though a faint smirk curved at his lips as if the morning itself bowed to him.
"You're up early", the second prince said coldly.
"So are you ", Aurien replied, lifting his blade. "Seems neither of us slept".
They circled each other , steel meeting steel in cautious clash. Sparks hissed as the duel began .
"We need to protect Eliora more than ever now", Aurien said between strikes, his voice calm despite the speed of his blade.
The second prince's gripped tightened. "Protect ?". The word burned like mockery. "What do you mean by that ?".
Aurien's blade whistled past his ear before returning in a swift parry ." Didn't you see what happened yesterday?"
"Don't rub it in my face ", the second prince snapped, forcing Aurien back with a heavy strike . His teeth clenched as the memory surged again."I saw you holding her . Saw her melt into your arms ".
Aurien's lips curved into a faint smile, the kind that ignited furry in the blood. " Ah .... so you did see" . He left out a small chuckle, his blade twisting like a serpent. "But that wasn't what l meant ". His voice dropped lower, darker. " The spirit are awake. They are moving closer to her. And when they come, this fragile Palace of yours won't shield her. She belongs somewhere stronger. Somewhere only l can protect her".
The second prince's strike grew sharper, heavier, fueled by a storm rising within him. "So you're saying she isn't safe here? That my protection means nothing?".
Steel clashed violently, across the echoing field.
Aurien's eyes gleamed as he pressed forward." I'll take her to my Palace. Where she belongs. "
The word ignited something savage. The second prince roared, swinging with a ferocity that drove Aurien back , strike after strike, until the edge of his blade knocked Aurien flat against the frozen ground.
Aurien's chest heaved, his sword slipping from his grip. Above him , the second prince stood, blade pressed against his throat. His eyes burned with possession.
"Over my dead body ",the prince's hissed . "She is mine to protect. Mine to claim. Everything that belongs to me , l guard with my life".
For a moment, silence stretched, broken only by the ragged breaths . Then the second prince pulled his blade back, turning on his heel , his cloak trailing behind him as he left the field.
Aurien lay still , his jaw tightening, furry simmering behind his calm mask .
Later , steam curled through Aurien's chamber as he washed away the sting of defeat. His reflection stared back at him from the polish bronzed mirror, his pride heavier than the blade that had been pressed to his throat.
The door creaked open. A shadow slipped inside.
Lior.
His presence was quite yet unsettling, his eyes glimmering with secrets that never reached his lips . He bowed slightly. " The elders have sent me . They say your strength cannot stand alone in these times. I am to stay with you..... as protection.
Aurien's eyes narrowed. " I need no guardian".
Lior's gaze held steady, unblinking. " Even kings fall Aurien. Even wolves bled".
For a moment,Aurien said nothing. His childhood memories stirred, running through shadowed with lior by his side, bound not only as friends but as a master and servant. There fate had tangled long ago, though Aurien wished to forget it .
At last , he exhaled , the tension slipping from his shoulders. Very well . Stay . But do not forget where your loyalty lies".
A faint smile touched lior's lips. "I never have".
Meanwhile Eliora walked the quiet corridor towards the second prince's chamber, her steps echoing softly against the marble. She had not seen him since last night, when his eyes had burned with something she could not name.
She knocked gently before entering. The second prince sat by the window, his damp hair tied loosely, his blade resting against the wall.
He turned when she entered, his gaze softening for the brief moment before sharpening again.
"You should be resting " , he said .
"I could not sleep , " Eliora admitted. "I came to see how you were".
His lips curved into a bitter smile. "Strange you cry in another man's arm , and yet you walk here to comfort me ".
Her breath caught." It's wasn't like that .."
"Then what was it ? " , he asked quietly, his eyes searching hers . "When you leaned into him ..... did your heart ease ? Did your soul feel lighter?"
She faltered, unable to answer. The question pierced deeper than she expected.
He rose , stepping closer until his shadow fell across her. "Tell me , Eliora ..... when you look at him , do you feel safe? Or is it guilt that binds you to his touch? "
Her heart raced, words tangling to her lips. She lowered her gaze , shaking her head." I don't know ".
For a long moment, silence stretched. Then the second prince stepped back , his expression unreadable. "Go . Before your confusion consumes us both".
She hesitated but obeyed, her footsteps echoing in the corridor once more.
As she turned a corner , she nearly collided with someone. Lior.
He moved past her silently, his eyes fixed ahead, but as her sleeve brushed against his arm , a sudden jolt of electricity shot through her veins . She gasped , clutching her hand.
The sensation was sharp , almost... familiar.
She turned , staring at him as he walked away, his figure fading into shadow. Something about him stirred a memory buried deep within her soul , something that whispered of danger.
"Who are you ?", she whispered under her breath, though he never turned.
Her heart raced . For the first time , she realized something far darker than jealousy or rivalry was moving in the shadows around her . And she was standing in the centre of it all .